Dr. Eric Petersen

The Turbomachinery Laboratory, a center of the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) and part of The Texas A&M University System, has a new director: Dr. Eric Petersen.

Petersen, the Nelson-Jackson Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University, is a 10-year veteran of the Turbo Lab. His research encompasses gas dynamics, propulsion, combustion, shock waves, chemical kinetics, optical diagnostics and spectroscopy, laminar and turbulent flames, and rocket combustion. He has authored more than 400 journal and conference papers in these areas. He is vice-president of the Institute for Dynamics of Explosions and Reactive Systems (IDERS) and an associate editor of the Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and Power and the Journal of Propulsion and Power. He is a fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and a member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), The Combustion Institute and the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE).

Petersen holds three degrees in mechanical engineering: a bachelor’s from the University of Central Florida (1988), a master’s from the University of Florida (1990) and a doctorate from Stanford University (1998). Before coming to Texas A&M, Petersen taught at the University of Central Florida. Prior to becoming a professor, he was an analytical engineer in the combustion group at Pratt & Whitney for three years, and a research scientist in the propulsion science group at the Aerospace Corporation for four years.

As director of the Turbo Lab, Petersen will oversee all operations of the Lab and Symposia Office, including industry- and government-sponsored research, education and workforce development initiatives including short courses and symposia.

“I am honored to be named director of the Turbomachinery Laboratory,” Petersen said. “The Turbo Lab means many things to different people. To me, it’s been my research home for 10 years. To others, it’s technology development, or an education, or world-renowned symposia. I aim to uphold the stellar reputation of the Turbo Lab as a leading institution making a vital impact on the industry through research, education and workforce development.”

Petersen assumes the post held for more than three decades by Dr. Dara W. Childs, who retired in January.